"Hateful": When Did This Word Become Part of The R-Wing Lexicon?

[Robert Murphy]

'Llo All,

I recently watched Molly Ivins on C-SPAN. Lo and behold, three of the more yahoo, angry, Right-wing callers accused her of being "hateful."

OK, the accusation is absurd; Ivins is non-vindictive in both professionally (her writing) and personally (in interviews) almost to a fault. My question here--I've seen this word ("you are hateful!!") or accusation with regularity in the DU Hate Mailbag as well--is this the latest wingnut tack? Er, perhaps a small bit of hypocrisy here?

Robert

[wasp in a wig]

1. I saw that, too

I think the way Molly Ivins responded to it proved how ridiculous that guy's claim was. I was amazed that anyone could call Molly Ivins hateful. She doesn't hate Bush, and from what I've heard from her, it would be hard to believe that she hates anybody.

And from what that man said - I believe he called her a representative of the 'lying left' - it seemed he was more interested in hurling insults than criticising her intelligently.

In my opinion, with people like that it doesn't matter if someone lies or tells the truth; as long as that person holds a view different from their own, they're hateful liars.

I would not be surprised if that man also believed that Anne Coulter is a legitimate, thoughtful journalist and a 'compassionate conservative'.

[Mel]

2. it's projection on the Right-wings part

also it's their latest talking point "Whoopi" is hateful for what she said about *Bush.
Did you see Jon Stewart last night? It was funny Jon pointed out their "hateful" talking point.

Of course, it's absurd doesn't matter that's the way the Right works they continue to drink the kook-aid from their corporate and elitist masters (the jokes on them) bwah! haa! ha!

After watching them for years I can see it coming down the pike it's not a conspiracy it's out there in the open for all to see.

[Debs]

3. More Than Hypocrisy

I think it goes beyond hypocrisy, I think it is an old tactic, like Tacitus said. When the crime is uncovered there is no defense save brazenous. So like Chomsky says if your hand is caught in someones pocket you jump back and call them a thief. Its a pre-emptive strike like Fox saying they are fair and balanced.

[wish_I_could_vote]

4. hate is definitely the latest in word

I was told this morning that if I could just see beyond my blind hatred of Bush, and look at the issues, I would see the light. I responded that I did not hate Bush, I feared him...and anyone who did not fear a president who said God spoke through him was nuts.

[Inland]

5. It is to avoid debate

Hateful and out of the mainstream or even liberal are terms that are used to dismiss adverse opinion. You don't have to listen because it is hateful. Their ideas are simply hate. Their opposition is simply hate. Can't reason with them, they hate. They just plain hate Bush.

The implication is that hatred is irrational, and therefore the opposition is irrational, and therefore you can simply dimiss them.

If you examine about ninetyfive percent of coservative comment is not addressing an issue but characterizing the opponent in a dismissive fashion.

[Gyre]

6. Good point!

And good articulation of the effect. Thanks!

Gyre

[sduncang]

7. Hateful

Couldn't agree more. In fact, (for a laugh) tune into one of the many AM right-wing Bush infomercial radio talk shows. Anyone that doesn't adore Bush is considered "filled with hate", uninformed, or a political bigot.

[amber dog democrat]

8. I see it as projection

They're the hateful ones. Its the very thing they accuse Democrats of doing.
That said....its not as if the Chimp administration has not EARNED strongly worded criticism. It must be very frustrating to conservatives and fundies that not everyone joins then in the I love the Chimp volksgemeinschaft.

But from the way this president has acted - kind of like a second rate Napoleon, I wonder honestly why people don't hate him more. But i think I know why.
The GOP is very good at playing on people's cultural obsessions and many have been trained to be passive respondants.

[redandstinky]

9. Hate and the GOP

It's like this:

First, if you diasagreed with Bush, you were un-American, remember that?

But then, after that line's transparent fascist undertones became obvious, they had to change it to something like, if you diasgree with Bush you must hate him.

But if the right-wing's anti-Kerry attacks aren't hate-inspired, I don't know what is. And they still bring up Clinton in their hateful tones.

[homerthompson]

10. the gop needs fear, hate and bigotry to survive

they've got to maintain the charade that some boogy man's out to get them, to provoke irrational, knee jerk responses from their sheep.

[amber dog democrat]

11. During the first Chimp compaign

I am thinking that is when it first started. or maybe the outrage stemming from the stolen election. I blame the Chimp.